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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

Hi , posting here for first time with a confusing problem. I have the latest version of Ubuntu and Installed it on a Pentium I with only 16meg Ram and it runs great. Ive been trying to install it on a Pentium III Laptop with 128Meg Ram and it fails to install. Im running win XP on it at the moment but it is soooo slow.

Maybe I have to format the hard drive and then install it or maybe my Ubuntu Disk is Damaged ? What do you think. I'm hoping Linux runs super fast. I really only want to use internet browsing, watch WInMedia player files, Open Office and program picaxe with it. All this I believe I beleive is possible with Linux.

Hi Mike and welcome to LQ! You're going to have to provide a bit more detail about your problem if anyone is to have a chance of figuring it out... Where exactly in the install process does it fail? What information does it give you?

I would definitely not recommend Ubuntu on these low specs. With just 128 megs of RAM you should look into smaller distro. Not something with gnome or kde.
And when you mean that it fails to install, you do not say much. So there is really not much information on which people can help. where does the install abort?

To name just a few... xfce, fluxbox, openbox. Basically search the net for lightweight or minimalist window managers, most are in the ubuntu repositories I think. Run a minimalist install from the alternate CD and install what you need from there.

I would suggest trying out the Puppy Linux Live CD. It only needs about 100Mb of RAM to boot to the live cd and even less RAM is used when you do what they call a 'frugal installation'.

Just choosing a Window Manager/Desktop Environment can have a huge impact on the usage of your system resources. I've used xfce, window maker, enlightenment(buggy), and I'm currently using fluxbox on my laptop. Of that bunch xfce is definately the largest but it is also the most polished.

If the common consensus about a horrid typo is true you might have some luck with Xubuntu. I've also had some success with minimal distro's like Minibuntu or Damn Small Linux and then adding on the desktop environments ( and sometimes many other things that the smaller distro's don't include ).

More info about your installation issue is definitely needed too though! It may be that something small but confusing is causing the failure.

Ubuntu is variant of Debian , and if your comfortable with Ubuntu, then you will feel right at home with Debian.

I've got a Toshiba Portege 7140ct with 128 ram running LXDE and it's working great. I'm usually using only 48mb of ram with LXDE, GDM, and conky running, as well as HAL and Network_manager with VPNC. You can dowload the Debain LXDE install disk here

Yes sorry about my misinformation I am going to try Puppy for my laptop. Though I was surprised that Im running Win XP and cant run Ubuntu.
I thought that XP was more resource hungry than any Linux OP.

Thanks again guys for pointing me in the right direction and linking me to to various Linux versions.

There are a variety of possible operating systems which can be installed on a personal computer. As an alternative to Linux you may wish to consider Microsoft Vista. Although it certainly is more expensive, it is professionally written and you will find that all of the unfortunate issues and problems you are experiencing will simply disappear when using a quality operating system.